A/N: This chapter probably has a lot more words than *looks at word count* Holy Crap, there's over 7,000 words in this one! Usually my most in a chapter is 3,000 or 4,000 but over 7,000? That's ridiculous! Also the end to this story is going to be on hold due to the replies stopping for a bit while AnnaleaseTurner and I do an Addams Family RP, if you haven't, go check out Penelope and Payton Addams, it now has a cover which modesty aside I have to say is super cool and fits with the mood of the story and its reasoning. This is basically a big chapter and the RP ended here, but I'm sure the final chapter will be here soon. But I am exhausted from making this chapter... If you haven't already, read & review! Also this chapter may seem bouncy, I apologize in advance.
"That little girl's got quite the strength." Harry laughed a little, he hadn't known Max, but she seemed pretty weak and defenseless based on what he heard.
Hector looked at Harry. "Can I have a couple of minutes?" he asked, his eyes flickering to the tied up Chelsea.
Chelsea didn't dare move as the gun was still to the back of her head, she paled though and her breathing was shallow.
Harry nodded, then went to hang up the phone. "Sure, pal, sure..." He deeply glared at Chelsea to scare her, then he chuckled as he left the former hotel concierge alone with their hostage.
Hector muttered something into Chelsea's ear as he set his plans in action. Chelsea's eyes widened and she let out small cries at the things he did. Harry smirked once he heard Chelsea cry in pain and fear. Mrs. Stone looked at Harry.
"What?" Harry caught her gaze.
"Nothing." Mrs. Stone stated with a shrug.
A minute or so later Hector came out and shook his hand out, checking his knuckles.
Harry rolled his eyes at the woman, then noticed something about Hector. "Geez, Mary Poppins, don't KILL the girl." Harry told him, poking fun at his British descent.
Mrs. Stone shook her head.
Hector looked at him. "That's your job." he said about the killing.
Chelsea was breathing heavily her hair curtaining her face.
"It's worth it." Harry grinned.
Hector smirked. "Well, she's free for whatever you plan to do now," he said. "I've paid her back." He went to wash his hands and to cool his knuckles down.
Chelsea sniffled slightly and clenched her fists gently.
"You got less than an hour to live." Harry told the damsel.
Chelsea lifted her head up and narrowed her eyes slightly. Her face was puffy and her lip was split. She glared, though her eyes showed the fear. "You will get your just rewards..." she warned him, wincing just slightly. She hoped he'd move his hand closer to her face, so she could bite him. No matter how scared she was, she wouldn't allow anyone to touch her again. "They won't let you get away with what you've done..." she whispered harshly.
Harry cupped her face in his hands, deeply scowling at her. "Hey, girl, I never made it to get married... Looks like you won't neither."
Chelsea gulped a little. But knowing they needed her alive to get the stuff, she quickly turned her head and bit one of his hands. "Don't touch me!" she hissed.
Harry grunted, keeping his grip on, then let go in pain as Chelsea bit him. "YOU LITTLE TWAT!"
Chelsea looked at him through narrowed eyes.
"Man, I should kill ya right now!" Harry grunted, rubbing his hand.
Chelsea looked at him. "You shouldn't have touched me..." she said, angrily. She tried to tug a hand free again.
"Aw, shuddap!" Harry spat at her.
Chelsea swallowed slightly. "Never..." She was watching carefully Harry's reaction.
Mrs. Stone smirked and looked up at Hector, almost shyly. "Looks like we're going to win this round for a change, sir."
Hector nodded to Mrs. Stone, smirking as well.
Mrs. Stone looked in the direction of the room Harry was in with Chelsea. "Will we ditch him?" she asked, quietly, so only Hector would hear.
Harry went to cool down his hand from the bite. It really stung more than it should have. Probably due to what happened to him for two Christmases. Chelsea started to fiercely tug at her wrists trying to get free, if she could then she could untie herself and run. Hector shrugged and looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. Mrs. Stone watched Harry go to a sink. Harry felt a little relieved and relaxed once he cooled himself down. Chelsea whimpered as she tried to tug her hands free.
"What did she do this time?" Hector asked Harry.
"She bit me." Harry growled.
"Maybe you should bite her back or something?" Hector suggested. (A/N: This is a reference to Harry threatening to bite Kevin's fingers off in the movie)
Mrs. Stone raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe you should give me a little less yappin'." Harry grunted.
Chelsea managed to get one free, with a lot of effort and thanks to the perspiration on her arm and hand. She gave a small gasp of relief then went quiet.
Hector raised his eyebrows haughtily. "Only trying to help."
"I'm gonna bite that kid's fingers off once i see him." Harry grunted.
Hector snorted, amused.
Chelsea felt for a knot and tried to undo it. She growled as it was done up tight. She needed to get it undone before someone came back in. The girl heard someone coming in and moved her arm back into position.
Mrs. Stone came in, glaring at Chelsea before grabbing something and then leaving again. She came back, looking at the men.
Chelsea furiously tried to undo the knot. She managed to loosen it a little. She worked harder and undid the knot. Chelsea got out of them and started to undo her last tied arm.
"Should we get to the park now?" Harry asked, noticing the hour was almost up.
"Yes," Hector nodded. "We should make our way."
"Come with me." Harry decided to be in charge of directions since he's been in Chicago longer than Hector and Mrs. Stone. "So... Mrs. Stone... Where's Mr. Stone...?" he gave her a sly smirk.
Mrs. Stone sniffed, haughtily. "Back in New York."
Hector rolled his eyes, but looked annoyed that Harry was putting himself in charge.
Harry looked a little stubborn, then went to look at the time. "You guys wanna walk or ride?" he offered to drive his new 'friends'.
"We should probably drive, but who will sit with the brat?" Hector asked Harry.
Mrs. Stone looked between them.
"MY car, I drive." Harry growled, taking out the car keys.
Mrs. Stone saw the boys glaring at each other. "I'll sit with the girl, but one of you will need to tie her up properly, I don't want any of the blood from her lip on me." she said, waiting.
Hector smirked, thinking of what to do. "Maybe when we get there, a rope could be tied on her like a leash." he suggested.
Harry snorted, then turned to Chelsea. "Come on, girly, time to go for a ride in the park!" he teased in a nasty way.
Chelsea, looked up with as wide of eyes she could, as Harry came in. She froze just as the last rope came undone.
Harry chuckled a little. Hector followed Harry, along with Mrs. Stone. Chelsea grabbed the chair and stood up flinging it, aiming to distract not hurt. She then went to try escaping. Mrs. Stone, unperturbed by the chair, ran after Chelsea and tackled her, bringing them both down to the floor.
"No!" Chelsea exclaimed as she fell, under the weight of the taller, slightly heavier woman.
"Come on!" Harry called, sitting in the driver's seat and starting the car.
Hector had grabbed the now discarded rope and had used it to tie Chelsea's hands behind her back, and also tied her upper arms so she couldn't move them. He tied a rope around her neck with some for someone to hold like a leash. He then helped get her into the back before climbing into the front.
Mrs. Stone held the rope, knowing she wouldn't escape easily. She had also used a scarf to gag Chelsea so she couldn't shout out to anyone while in the car. Chelsea had silent tears down her face.
"All ready?" Harry asked before he would start driving.
Unfortunately for Hector, Harry wasn't that good a driver. Hector shouted each time Harry did something that could've killed them or just scared him. Mrs. Stone couldn't help but think that with the arguing it was quite funny. Chelsea was glad that at least they had seatbelts on, closing her eyes due to how scary the 'ride' was.
"Aw, shuddap, you pompous windbag!" Harry snapped at Hector, then snorted. "Wuss..."
"You start driving properly, you short stack of manure!" Hector growled.
Mrs. Stone, if she didn't value her life, would have mentioned that the argument sounded like an old married couple's. Chelsea didn't dare open her eyes.
"If i wasn't drivin' right now, I'd give you a mouthful of fist!" Harry growled.
Hector looked as they reached the park. Mrs. Stone looked at Chelsea critically, glaring at the girl triumphantly. Chelsea opened her eyes once they stopped. She wondered what would happen now.
"There!" Harry slammed the brakes, making Hector slam onto the dashboard, squeezed against the wind shield. "Quit foolin' around, let's get movin'!" he got out of the driver's seat and slammed the door shut, unlocking the doors for them to get out.
Hector wheezed, but got himself out.
Mrs. Stone got out and tugged Chelsea out of the car. She then looked between the men. "Who's going to hold the girl?" she asked.
Chelsea stumbled as she was pulled but luckily didn't fall. Her eyes narrowed at Mrs Stone.
"Oh, I will." Harry rolled his eyes, then gripped Chelsea's arm.
"Look guys, it's the losers of today's battle." Kevin taunted their incoming enemies.
Mrs. Stone glared at Kevin, hearing his taunt. Hector, who was still slightly wheezing, managed to get out a growl. Chelsea looked at her friends in relief but her face still managed to show her fear too.
Lex looked at Max. "I'll explain later..." he told her quietly and let her go so she could run to the safe spot when it was time.
Marv saw the state of Chelsea and his eyes narrowed. How dare they do that to her!
Max looked at her fingers, then went to another spot, folding her arms. "You two don't scare me anymore." she seethed at Mrs. Stone and Hector, feeling sure of herself.
Mrs. Stone glared at her.
Hector, getting his breath back, growled again. "Oh, but you should be..."
Harry chuckled and went up to Marv. "Now you know how it feels the only one you can trust, understand and relate to, huh, buddy?"
Kevin glared at his sister being held hostage.
Marv glared at Harry. "You didn't have to stay on the bad side, we could-a still been friends if you turned good too." he told him. He'd probably only be able to blind Harry temporarily as he was the only one close enough to do it.
"Goodness is for weenies and you know it!" Harry scoffed at his ex-best friend.
Chelsea's eyes flickered between Marv's and Kevin's faces. After all they were the ones slightly closer to her than her best friend and Lex. Kevin gave Chelsea a brave face to assure her it was all going to be okay soon. Chelsea gave a tiny nod to Kevin though she was still worried, not for herself but for all of them. (not the baddies) Kevin nodded back, then kept his eyes forward.
"You couldn't scare my great-aunt out of her grave." Max taunted. "Let go of my best friend, JOHN..." she gritted through her teeth, bringing up his first name suddenly and a little dramatically like a soap opera reveal.
Hector glared at Maxine, he never liked his first name, choosing to go by his last name instead. Mrs. Stone looked at Hector, blinking.
"How's that feel?" Max poked him over and over just to annoy him. "Huh? Do you? Huh? Maxine can fight too... How you like that, pretty boy?"
Hector had had enough by her poking and harshly pushed her away.
Max flopped back and landed on her bottom. She then got up, dusted herself, kicked Hector in his shin and went back to her group, folding her arms with a cross, firm look on her face. "Never call me Maxine..." she growled under her breath.
Hector yelled in pain and hopped on his good leg holding his shin. Mrs. Stone rolled her eyes.
"Gosh, I hate that man, he wasn't so bad when I dated him to get my job." Max growled under her breath about Hector.
"You got what I want?" Harry demanded, seeing the bag.
"Yes..." Marv said, then quickly warned Chelsea to close her eyes as he threw a bag at Harry as it was set to burst when it was caught.
Chelsea quickly shut her eyes.
Lex glared at Hector for daring to push Max.
"Well, hand it over!" Harry demanded.
Kevin rushed closer to his friends and went to protect his eyes. Marv threw the bag at Harry, so it would burst over him. Kevin went with Lex, Marv, and Max to get to a better distance as the bag missed Harry and busted open on the ground, making a thick cloud of powder hit their eyes. Except for Chelsea's. Hector and Mrs. Stone gave startled cries and then tried to wipe the powder out of their eyes.
Chelsea had to stand with her eyes closed, any bit of skin not covered in clothes started to itch a bit though, but she could deal with it. Marv and the other three were a safe distance away from the cloud of itching powder. They just needed to wait for Harry to let Chelsea go and they would call her over to them.
Harry grunted and uttered out some words that sounded like half swears and dropped down to his knees. He then suddenly started to scratch, "MY EYES BURN AND I'M ITCHY, WHAT GIVES!?"
Max clung onto Lex for safety as the baddies were getting their just desserts of what they deserved. Lex hugged Max gently. Kevin laughed a little at their misfortune.
"Itching Powder!" Hector exclaimed, recognizing it from the feel of the itching.
Marv saw Chelsea was let go. "Chels!" he called.
Chelsea started to walk in the direction she heard Marv's voice from, her eyes still closed.
"WAAGH!" Harry grunted and started to scratch himself.
"Marco!" Max called to let Chelsea follow without seeing anything.
"Marco!" Kevin added in it, getting where Max was getting at.
Chelsea was following their voices, knowing that she didn't need to shout Polo, she couldn't have anyway. She was amused though, even with her hands tied. The itching started but she persevered. Marv was also calling but he was saying her name. When she was close enough he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her.
Lex smiled once she was safe. "Max while they're blinded by the powder i want you to take Chelsea and go over to a safer place..." he told her gently.
Max nodded and took Chelsea's hand to take her somewhere else to hide. Kevin was so happy and thrilled to see his oldest sibling again, he wanted to hug her and pat her on the back, but that would probably have to wait. Chelsea ran with Max to guide her, recognising the gentle grip of her best friend. She would have to wait to speak until her mouth was uncovered and her ropes undone.
Marv watched waiting for them to figure out washing off so they could lead the 'itchy ones' into the traps. Lex smiled as Max and Chelsea went somewhere safer.
Hector was also scratching madly. "We need to get it washed off somehow!"
Mrs. Stone was also wailing as she scratched, though not as loud as actual wails.
"STOP WHININ', IT ONLY MAKES IT WORSE!" Harry roared from his stinging eyes in pain and scratched himself frantically.
Hector fell to his knees and desperately grabbed some snow to at least wash his face off. Mrs. Stone struggled to become quiet.
Max looked around and took her to a far side of the pranked house. She then did what she could to help Chelsea, untying her and taking the scarf out of her mouth and allowing her to safely open her eyes. Chelsea used the clean part of the scarf to wipe her eyes clear. She opened them and looked at Max and looked lost between hugging her -and accidentally covering her in the powder- and just smiling. She took off the 'leash' anyway.
Hector had cleared his eyes and did the same to help Mrs Stone and Harry. Mrs. Stone thanked her ex-co-worker. Marv waited for Kevin's signal. Lex glared mostly at Hector, as he (Hector) was the one who scared his (Lex's) girlfriend.
Harry blinked a few times, then got angry. He looked around for the guys and couldn't find them anywhere. "WHERE ARE YOU!?"
"We're in this house, you morons!" Kevin taunted, in a hidden location to trick them into going in the house.
"Come and get us!" Both Lex and Marv added.
Hector got up and scratched angrily.
"Come on!" Harry growled, then ran with them to the house.
Hector and Mrs. Stone followed him. Angry at them.
Marv and Lex grinned as they came into the trapped house.
Max shook off the itchy and scratchy battle implanted in her clothes and held Chelsea's face gently. "I'm so glad you're safe now..."
Chelsea looked at Max. "Thank you for helping to save me..." she said softly, almost shyly.
Max smiled and patted her head. She then heard the baddies coming and hid with Chelsea to protect each other. Chelsea hugged Max as the baddies went past. Max watched from the window and helped Chelsea get back on her feet. Chelsea looked at Max and bit her lip, wincing, as she forgot about the little cut in it.
"You okay?" Max whispered in concern, seeing the bruises a little closely. "What did those jerks do?"
Chelsea swallowed a little. "It was Hector... He thought he'd get me back for the slaps that me and Mom gave him... And the punch..." she said, quietly, missing out one thing he did, though that thing wasn't physical.
"Jerk..." Max growled and held Chelsea close. Though Chelsea was a little bit older than Max, she was playing protective girl now.
Chelsea closed her eyes after a brief second of becoming stiff, before relaxing.
"It's going to be alright." Max whispered to Chelsea with assurance.
Chelsea nodded. "I know..." she said in whisper.
Kevin quickly put some of the fake rubies in a trap, then hid away with the older guys.
Harry rushed in and looked around. "Where are ya?"
Hector looked around and then looked down at Mrs. Stone.
Mrs. Stone tugged on both guys' sleeves. "Hey, look, rubies..." she whispered to both of them.
"JACKPOT!" Harry yelled, then went for them. "I got dibs on the biggest ones!"
"Hey, that's not fair!" Hector shouted, following.
Mrs. Stone didn't care how much of them she got as long as she got more than one.
"Life ain't fair!" harry snapped at him, ready to collect the jewels, suddenly, a rope tied on his ankle and held him upside down. "AAUGH!" he dropped one of the rubies in his clutches and they broke. "IT'S FAKE!"
Hector growled and turned around. "Where are you!?" he yelled.
Marv chuckled quietly.
Mrs. Stone went to try and help Harry down.
"Hurry up, woman!" Harry demanded sharply.
Kevin put the last bit of oil on the stairs with Lex and Marv on his sides. "Come and get us!" he yelled, then hid the oil container.
Hector went to run up the stairs, getting up a couple but then slipped and fell down again. Marv grinned down at Kevin.
Lex smiled at the younger boy. "Good job, Kev." he said.
Kevin laughed a bit, then went in one hallway. "Thanks!"
Marv pulled Kevin aside. Lex took the other hiding spot. Kevin put his hand on a switch he put in and waited for Mrs. Stone to reach the top of the stairs. She and Hector were really getting a taste of what happened to the bandits when they would break into the house while only she and Hector made Kevin and Chelsea's hotel experience a real nightmare outside the endless luxury they had with Peter's credit card.
Hector went to run up the stairs, getting up a couple but then slipped and fell down again.
Harry managed to get free and glared at Hector. "Get up there!" he then climbed up the stairs, only to slip himself down the stairs.
Hector groaned.
Mrs. Stone used them to get upstairs, climbing on them.
"Hurry, at the park, they're holding a child hostage and have beaten a poor woman." Max added to the police before they told her they would be on the way.
Chelsea pressed her sleeve to her lip. She offered a small smile though.
Max hung up as the police were on their way and she smiled at Chelsea. "We're in good hands now."
Chelsea nodded looking relieved, though there was a bit of hidden worry there.
Hector looked up the stairs glaring at Mrs. Stone. She reached the top of the stairs and looked around. Kevin pulled a switch, which made a net with a bunch of water balloons fall down on her. Harry watched the impact and snickered that he and Hector didn't make it upstairs because of what was happening. Mrs. Stone wanted the victims to fall, but it seemed as though this was too humiliating to get through. Was Chicago really worth it?
Mrs. Stone gasped as she was soaked standing stock still. Hector got up and smirked from the bottom of the stairs. Marv snickered himself. Lex grinned. Kevin chuckled a bit while they hid. Harry chuckled a bit once he got to stairs. Unfortunately for him, after he made it to the top, he stepped back on a random banana peel and fell back down the stairs, squashing Hector. Hector growled and tried to get the slightly chunkier man off him.
"Get up, ya lazy!" Harry rolled off, trying to dust himself clean.
Hector groaned again and got up. "Right, I'm getting out of the house!" he yelled angrily.
"What about the kid and those rats?!" Harry nearly growled.
Hector glared back at Harry. "I don't care, they can't stay in there forever, and I don't fancy being hurt anymore in this place!" he shouted.
"You're a wuss, you know that?" Harry hissed a bit.
Mrs. Stone heard Kevin's chuckle and went to follow it to its source. Kevin stepped back and went with the guys to get away and set off another trap plan against the vile woman. Mrs. Stone came to where the chuckle had come from. She entered a room she thought they were in, but got pelted with glue and some feathers.
Marv smiled, that was funny.
Mrs. Stone ran out of the house not wanting to be pranked anymore.
The men didn't know it, but they were being stuck with honey and suddenly some bees came, even though it was winter when bees usually came out in spring or summertime. Hector let out a yell and started to run towards the lake, knowing water was the only way to stop the bees. Harry screamed and ran from the bees too.
"So, does this traps against the bad guys happen all the time?" Max asked, making conversation, smiling back at Chelsea and hoped the police would make it over on time.
Chelsea nodded. "Yeah, Kevin and I usually worked together to protect our home and stop innocent kids from getting ripped off." she said, softly.
"You've led an interesting life, Chelsea McCallister." Max smirked, folding her arms. "Nothing interesting happens to me... Except until Lex and I bumped into each other..."
"Wasn't meeting me interesting?" Chelsea giggled, softly. She asked, pretending she was upset about it, but deep down, due to what she had been told, actually feeling a sense of doubt though she shouldn't.
"Oh, I didn't mean that in a bad way..." Max smiled apologetically, noticing the question. She had a hard time understanding sarcasm and teasing.
"Max, I was joking," Chelsea told her friend gently. "I know us meeting was one of the best days for both of us..." She was rather tired and felt like she could sleep for a week if her face hadn't been itching.
"If I were Marv, I'd give you a little soak in the tub for a while," Max smiled at her. "Don't worry, it'll all be over soon, I promise."
Chelsea blinked and her mouth opened in surprise, the slight upwards curve of her mouth showed amusement.
Hector let out a yell and started to run towards the lake, knowing water was the only way to stop the bees. Harry screamed and ran from the bees too. The baddies were all headed to the lake while it was frozen some with cracks and icy water. They all went in to wash off, avoid the bees, and end the suffering. That was when the police officers showed up to take them all away to where they belong.
Kevin laughed a bit and did a secret handshake with Lex in victory. Lex grinned as they hand shook.
Marv grinned looking out the window. "They're headed to the lake..." he said.
Kevin looked out and laughed a bit. He then gasped a little as he saw his mother's car driving near to their home. "We gotta beat Mom and Dad home!"
Lex nodded and then they all managed to get downstairs. "Max! Chelsea!" he shouted.
"Lex!" Max called back, trying not to be too loud around Chelsea to hurt her ears.
Marv had made sure Kevin was downstairs safely and had even picked him up so they'd be quicker. "We have to get back to yours quicker!"
"I know a shortcut." Kevin said as they left the house.
Chelsea, along with Max, went out of the house with the guys. Marv put Kevin down and then helped support Chelsea out.
Lex looked at Kevin as they went to the car. "Okay, this way Max, I need Kevin in the front of the car to give directions." he told the girl gently, holding her hand.
"Okay I should be fine on the way back." Max smiled at Lex, then went to help Marv with Chelsea as she was weak.
Kevin sat next to Lex and fastened his seat belt. Lex started the car once they were all buckled in and set to go. Marv held Chelsea's other hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb as they drove, following Kevin's shortcut.
Chelsea held Max's hand as they sat in the back, leaning against Marv's arm. "Thank you for coming to save me guys..." she murmured.
"Hey, no worries, you know I'd do anything for you." Max smiled, trying to keep her strong.
Marv squeezed Chelsea's hands gently. "We all love ya, Chels, if different ways a-course..." he said. After all, he was in love with her, Kev had family love for her, and Max and Lex loved her in a friendship way.
Lex started the car once they were all buckled in and set to go. Marv held Chelsea's other hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb as they drove, following Kevin's shortcut.
Hector looked like the rat he was, though it was like a drowned rat. He was shivering and glaring at Harry. "Y-you g-gave u-us b-bad l-luck..." he growled, stuttering due to the shiver and the cold.
Mrs. Stone shivered and looked miserable, some of the feathers still stuck to her clothes and hair.
"S-S-Shut up, ya n-n-ninny!" Harry growled at Hector, still shivering.
"Separate cells?" one cop asked the other as they escorted Mrs. Stone, Hector, and Harry away.
"Separate cells." the other nodded, annoyed with the arguing.
Hector yelled back that he wasn't a ninny.
Mrs. Stone growled shakily at the pair. "Sh-Sh-Shut i-it, th-the both of y-you!" she told them, harshly.
The cops rolled their eyes and shoved the three bad guys in the backseat to get going to prison where they would spend their 'Happy Holidays'. Hopefully for good this time.
Kevin looked before him to make sure they would get home before Kate and Peter. "Basically, right now, go backwards the way we came." he instructed while he noticed Peter's car was caught up with the police cars to take away Mrs. Stone, Hector, and Harry forever.
Peter felt stumped on the way home, and started to call his wife, seeing as he probably wouldn't beat her home.
"Hello?" Kate asked, stuck at a traffic light as she answered her phone.
"Hey, I'm gonna be home a little late, there's some crime scene investigation going on or something blocking my path." Peter answered back, feeling stuck.
Kate gave a tiny sigh. "Okay, Peter, I'm on my way home now, just stuck at the traffic lights until they change..." she said.
"Dang, love you, hopefully we'll be back for dinner to still be on." Peter joked about the tardiness of them getting home.
Kate laughed slightly. "Love you too, I have to go through, the lights have just changed," she said as she started the car off to drive again. "See you later." she told him.
Peter gave his goodbye and honked his horn at the cops, gripping the steering wheel.
Kevin kept telling Lex how to get home shortly and they had a lot better luck now than his and Chelsea's parents. Max smiled at Chelsea and glanced out the window to see this 'mysterious way to get home'. When they got back to the McCallistair house Marv lifted the slightly sleepy Chelsea out of the car and smiled down at her, though he was still mad with what Harry, Hector and Mrs. Stone had done to her.
Kevin quickly went to his bedroom, thanking the adults for this adventure today and got into his pajamas to bed while the school bus was passing by the McCallister house since Kevin had been absent for the day and now Winter Break can really start.
Lex got out of the car and opened the door for Max. "When we get in, can I talk to you a moment alone?" he asked her.
"Think you can handle her?" Max turned to Marv as he was about to help her to her bedroom.
Chelsea gave a tiny sleepy smile.
Marv held her a little tighter, but gently. "Yeah, I can." he said, smiling, taking Chelsea up to her bedroom, before grabbing a cloth to wash off her face gently.
Kevin smiled as he watched Marv taking care of Chelsea. Maybe he would be a fine addition to the family after all. It looked like things were finally looking up for him and Chelsea.
Chelsea winced slightly as the cloth brushed her sore lip and bruises but knew that the pain couldn't be helped, plus she knew Marv was being as gentle as possible. "I love you Marv..." she said, softly.
Marv smiled down at her, after washing her face, "I love you too Chels, i'm going to be the best husband i can be and i'm never gonna let anyone hurt you, or Kevin, again." he said.
Chelsea smiled sleepily. "I know..." she said softly, before she drifted off to sleep.
Marv smiled and then tucked her in before going back down to the ground floor.
Chelsea sighed softly in her sleep, smiling.
Kevin laid in his bed and got all tucked in, to get some sleep, whether pretend or not, today was very exhausting for him. He smiled as he slept.
Lex looked at Max when they were alone. "Max, you know i love you right?" he asked his voice soft.
"Of course, and I love you." Max looked back at him with her eyes shining and a small smile growing on her face.
Lex smiled softly at her. "I know I don't have a ring yet, and I know it would be better with a ring, plus forgive me, but...Maxine Hughes," he got down on one knee. "Will you do the honor of being my wife?"
"Y-Y-Your w-w-wife?" Max couldn't believe her ears. She was so surprised and a little nervous. She really loved Lex, but she just didn't know what to say. Would she be able to keep Lex happy to support them both? "I-I-I... L-L-Lex...I.. l-love..." she was very awestruck by everything that had happened to her and now this. She looked back down at him with a blushing smile and started to cry from the extreme happiness.
Lex smiled at her lovingly. He could see that the tears were happy ones because of the smile. "Is that a yes?" he asked her.
Max smiled and wiped one of her eyes. "Of course..." she nodded, looking like a glowing bride now. "Yes, Lex, I will..."
Marv came down to witness what Max had just said, just as Kate did. Both wore similar looks of shock though one was happier -Marv's- and the other was just shocked. Lex gave a whoop, quieter than normal as he knew Kevin and Chelsea would be sleeping, and stood up picking Max up and spinning in a circle with her.
Max giggled quietly from the circle and smiled as she was placed on the floor. "Oh, Lex, you made me happier that I've ever been in my entire life..."
Marv grinned, and waited to go to them and fully congratulate the also new couple.
Lex smiled at Max. "You always brighten my day, everyday." he told Max.
Kate looked up at the house as she came up to it. She parked in the driveway next to Lex's car. "I better remind Lex to move his car so Peter can park..." she told herself. She sorted her stuff into her handbag and then got out of the car, locking it. She then went into the house.
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO US! WE WILL BE BACK!" Harry's voice yelled from a passing police car from the house.
Kate watched a moment longer then had to draw their attention and so gently cleared her throat.
Marv grinned and Lex looked at Kate after she cleared her throat.
Max smiled back and turned back to Kate. "Oh, hello, Mrs. McCallister, how was your day?"
Kate looked at them, smiling slightly, though it was a little stressed from her day. "It was okay, but stressful...Where's Chelsea and Kevin?" she asked, not hearing her youngest or eldest child.
Max smiled sheepishly at Lex, then looked back at her best friend's mother. "We all had an exhausting day looking after Kevin. They're both sleeping, Kevin's getting some more rest and Chelsea's taking a power nap. She probably needs some time off her feet playing mother to her little brother..." Max tried to cover up. She didn't want Kate to know too much of the truth. After all, with Harry being involved in this mess, Kate might go off and blame Marv since he had known Harry a long time. Not to mention the wicked hotel staff.
Marv nodded, though he wondered how they were all going to explain the bruises and the cut on Chelsea's lip. Lex nodded to agree with Max.
Kate looked between them all and shrugged with a smile. "Well, Peter is on his way home, do you mind moving your car, please Lex?" she asked him.
"Could you?" Max asked her boyfriend.
"Well, I could..." he said, winking to both to show he would and was only joking about pretending not to. He got out his keys. "Stay in and keep warm, Max, I won't be a minute." he said, hugging her before heading to move his car.
Max smiled and felt warm from the hug already. "Be careful, its a bit slippery."
Kate chuckled and smiled, shaking her head. "Now, what shall we have for dinner?" she asked, knowing the other kids would be home soon.
Max then looked back at Kate, then looked distressed as she heard Chelsea utter a cry of pain. "Oh, my!"
Marv looked upstairs worriedly and went up to check. Kate watched Marv go, she smiled though it had a bit of worry in.
"Chelsea...?" Kevin came out of his room, weakly, pretending to be a little sluggish. Kevin slept a little and turned on his side as he heard a gentle knock and the door opening. "Hey, Mom..." he said, weakly.
Kate came in and smiled softly at Kevin. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" she asked him, coming over to check him over.
Kevin woke up slowly and sluggishly. "Mom, is that you?" he sat up to show his chicken pox spots were all gone now.
Kate placed her hand against his forehead and then looked to check for any spots. "Well, the bed rest seems to have done you good, sweetheart." she said, smiling gently.
"No more spots?" Kevin asked with a smile.
"Yes," Kate agreed with a smile. "No more spots..."
Kevin sat up and smiled. "Do I still have to shovel for Mrs. Hess?"
Kate looked at him. "Probably best to, but wrap up warm." she said, knowing Kevin would be in trouble with Mrs. Hess if he didn't.
Kevin nodded. "Excuse me, Mom, I need some privacy."
Kate nodded and stroked his hair before heading out of his room, shutting the door behind her.
Kevin smiled at his mother, then let out a sigh of relief. "And that's how you do it..." he said, seemingly to no one, and smiled, resting his hands behind his head Ferris Bueller style. He then decided to quickly get dressed so he could shovel for Mrs. Hess like promised to do after school. At least now he could officially start his winter break and hopefully never see Harry or those members of the hotel again.
Kate, meanwhile had gone back downstairs and was planning what they could have for dinner. The kids would be back later that evening.
Chelsea was half out of bed, her legs tangled in the cover that Marv had covered her in. "Well, hello floor, nice to meet you again, you just had to ask if you wanted a hug!" she half yelled, muffled by the floor.
Marv helped her up off the floor.
Max rushed up the stairs to take a look at Chelsea. "Dude, are you okay?"
Chelsea's lip was cut open again and a trickle of blood came from her nose. "Oh, the floor just wanted a hug..." she huffed, glaring at the floor.
"Oh, my gosh..." Max's face paled suddenly and she looked dizzy. "Chelsea... You're buh...bl...baa..." she then suddenly fainted in the middle of the floor.
Kate came up to check on Kevin and then Chelsea. Lex came back in and looked around. He then looked up the stairway and shrugged. He'd wait.
Chelsea saw Max faint. "Oh, no..." she said, grabbing something to cover the bleeding. "Can you get some water please, Marv?" she asked him as he set her down. She went over to Max and tested her pulse.
Marv nodded and went downstairs to the bathroom to grab some water. Lex heard the thud and went upstairs. He saw Max had fainted and came over to her gently tapping her cheek.
Max muttered a little, but she wasn't dead. She then slowly opened her eyes, looking a bit paler than Chelsea. "S-Sorry... I don't like blood..."
Chelsea looked at her. "Sorry, Max, I didn't realize..." she said softly. She didn't realize she was bleeding though either.
Marv came up with the glass of water and gave it to Max. "Here." he said.
"It's okay..." Max smiled gently at her friend and shakily took the glass of water. "I thought I'd be over it by now..." she gently drank.
"It doesn't matter," Chelsea said softly. "I'll just have to be careful."
Marv looked between them. "Should we go downstairs?" he asked.
Lex was concentrating on making sure Max was okay.
Max's eyes suddenly went back in place where they belonged instead of one looking up and the other looking down. "I don't mind either way."
Chelsea smiled softly, though it was only her eyes that showed it. Marv went to help Chelsea.
Lex helped Max up gently. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
"I'll be fine, I just need to sit down for a minute." Max said, gently, assuring the guys she was just fine.
"You and Lex go down," Chelsea looked at Max, smiling softly. "We'll follow after I get my face washed up."
Marv put an arm around Chelsea's waist and helped her to the bathroom.
Lex lifted Max up bridal style and carried her downstairs, smiling and ignoring any protests if she would make them.
"See you later..." Max told Chelsea wearily.
Chelsea looked at Marv. "Help me to the bathroom?" she asked him. Chelsea stuck a hand out of the bathroom door after Marv helped her in and waved a moment.
Marv was by the door and waved. "See you in a minute." he said.
Lex carried Max down into the living room.
"You're so sweet... You're like a knight in shining armor out of a crowd of dudes in rusting tin foil." Max smiled delicately at Lex as he carried her.
Peter finally came home. "I'm home! You won't believe the streets, the roads were loaded with police cars taking away a bunch of lousy bums!"
Kate looked at the entrance from the kitchen. "Well, at least they were sorted." she said.
Kevin got dressed and glanced out the window to Mrs. Hess. "Maybe she's just lonely like that pigeon lady in New York..." he said to himself as he went downstairs to go next door.
Lex smiled at Max and nodded to Kevin.
"What about a pigeon lady?" Max had heard that, turning her head to him.
Kevin looked at her. "Chelsea and I met this homeless lady with a bunch of pigeons after Mr. Hector ran us out of the hotel. She was really nice, I think Mrs. Hess is just lonely and needs a friend like her. I'll see you guys later." he went out the door.
Chelsea came back down with Marv. Her face didn't have blood on it anymore. Marv had his arm around her waist.
Max couldn't help but hum about the mentioned lady the boy was talking about.